UK heatwave live: Britons told to keep out the sun for four-hour period during red weather warning for extreme heat – UK Times

The RAC said it responded to 20 per cent more callouts to broken-down vehicles than usual on Tuesday.

Spokesman Simon Williams said: “Tuesday was a very busy day for breakdowns with our patrols finishing the day 20 per cent busier than normal for late June.

“Wednesday is looking even more challenging as more cars are succumbing to the extreme heat.

“We strongly urge people to avoid driving unless it’s essential, as breaking down in these conditions is potentially life threatening if they aren’t properly prepared.

“Being stuck at the side of a hot road without enough water and some form of shade is very serious.

“For this reason our patrols are also carrying extra bottles of water to give to broken-down members.”

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat covering parts of east and south-east England on Saturday.

Temperatures will be a few degrees cooler than the previous days, but are still expected to exceed 30C widely in the area, which stretches from the Sussex coast to Lincolnshire, peaking around 32C to 34C in London or East Anglia, the weather service said.

Night temperatures are unlikely to fall below the high teens Celsius for most, with some places probably still in the low 20C, while high humidity will continue, the Met Office said.

With temperatures forecast to reach 38C and classrooms expected to become uncomfortably hot, we’re asking readers whether schools should be allowed to close during extreme heatwaves or remain open with extra safeguards in place.

The Met Office has extended the rare red warning for extreme heat in place for Wednesday and Thursday down to the south coast of England, including Brighton, Bognor Regis, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth and Dorchester.

The weather service also said the red warning for the exceptional spell of hot and humid weather would now be in place until the end of Thursday.

The Met Office has issued another amber warning for heat for Friday, covering eastern and central England, as the exceptionally hot weather looks set to linger late into the week.

The forecaster also said it may need to issue further updates on the extreme weather as more details on the conditions become clear.

Grahame Madge, Met Office spokesman, said: “We have issued another amber warning for eastern and central England for Friday.

“As the forecast continues to evolve we may need to issue further updates once more detail becomes clear.”

Comparisons are being drawn to the summer of 1976 – a season which is still regarded as the benchmark for British heatwaves.

Forecasters say this week’s weather may exceed the June 1976 record of 35.6C by several degrees, with the UK also edging close to its all-time high of 40.3C recorded in 2022.

Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, has warned that due to global warming, the June 2026 heatwave is an example of what we will see “ much more regularly across the next few decades.”

She told The Independent: “In 2050, we’re saying that temperatures of 40C will become, if not a typical summer, certainly a frequent occurrence…

“ This will not be unusual, remarkable, once-in-a-decade stuff. This will happen fairly regularly, if not every year.”

An expert geographer has warned people not to “underestimate” the heat as the UK experiences a severe red warning.

Dr Jess Neumann, from the University of Reading, said: “The UK Met Office has issued a rare extreme heat red warning, which means there is a danger to life.

“This heat is going beyond your regular “summer holiday, beach days and ice creams” and must not be underestimated.

“The impacts of heatwaves on people are wide-ranging – some are direct and potentially very severe such as heat exhaustion, heatstroke or death. However, the effects of heat are not always so obvious or immediate – dehydration, lethargy, headaches, or trapped air pollutants can affect us all.

“People with respiratory, cardiovascular or other underlying health conditions, babies, children, people working outside and other vulnerable groups are particularly at risk. None of us are immune to extreme heat and we must look after ourselves to stay safe and well.

The Liberal Democrats have called for the Government to immediately open air-conditioned public buildings as “cool hubs” for vulnerable people during the heatwave.

They said gyms, leisure centres, libraries and other buildings could offer relief for those particularly at risk from the extreme heat.

The party also urged ministers to urgently prepare the country for more extreme temperatures by investing in cooling for hospitals, care homes and schools – echoing a call by the independent advisory Climate Change Committee on helping the UK adapt to global warming.

Liberal Democrat climate spokeswoman Pippa Heylings MP said: “Cool hubs could be a lifeline for the most vulnerable people in our communities who are struggling in the sweltering heat.

“Public spaces exist to serve their communities and it’s right they should offer refuge during heatwaves.”

She said: “Our hospitals, care homes and schools are dangerously hot, these buildings must be fit for a climate that is getting hotter every year.

“It is completely unfair to expect young people to cope with extreme heat as well as increased stress during crucial GCSE and A-level exam periods.”

She also said the Government “must get on” with upgrading homes to keep families safe and cool.

The Liberal Democrats have called for the Government to immediately open air-conditioned public buildings as “cool hubs” for vulnerable people during the heatwave.

They said gyms, leisure centres, libraries and other buildings could offer relief for those particularly at risk from the extreme heat.

The party also urged ministers to urgently prepare the country for more extreme temperatures by investing in cooling for hospitals, care homes and schools – echoing a call by the independent advisory Climate Change Committee on helping the UK adapt to global warming.

Liberal Democrat climate spokeswoman Pippa Heylings MP said: “Cool hubs could be a lifeline for the most vulnerable people in our communities who are struggling in the sweltering heat.

“Public spaces exist to serve their communities and it’s right they should offer refuge during heatwaves.”

She said: “Our hospitals, care homes and schools are dangerously hot, these buildings must be fit for a climate that is getting hotter every year.

“It is completely unfair to expect young people to cope with extreme heat as well as increased stress during crucial GCSE and A-level exam periods.”

She also said the Government “must get on” with upgrading homes to keep families safe and cool.